LOGAN, Utah - The Southern Utah soccer team opened their 2019 season Friday afternoon with an exhibition match against Utah State in Logan. Tough defense from both teams led to a scoreless draw after two overtime periods.
"I'm very happy with the performance today. It is a little early in the season to be grinding it out in overtime, but we found a way to do it. We came in here with the plan of keeping the other team off the scoreboard and the team did a fantastic job of that," head coach Fred Thompson said. "For the majority of the game, we kept them at bay and at a place where they weren't dangerous. We had some lapses in concentration which is going to happen at this point in the season, but there was always someone to bail us out, which is what teammates are for."
The defense was the story for the Thunderbirds as they held the Aggies scoreless despite them taking 23 shots in the game. Brianna Aldridge started in goal and made six saves in 71+ minutes played. Freshman Isabella Whitmore played the remainder of the game in goal and also made six saves in 38+ minutes of play.
Even though they weren't able to score, the Thunderbird attack was able to create a few good chances throughout the game. The best opportunity came in the 78th minute when Danielle Meuret was awarded a penalty kick for a USU foul in the box. However, the Aggie goalkeeper was able to make the save and keep the game scoreless.
Nine new Thunderbirds got to play in their first collegiate game on Friday and each of them were able to gain a good amount of experience heading into the regular season.
"They all impressed in their own way. The first four or five minutes was rough for them, which comes with your first college game, but once they settled in they all did well," Thompson said. "They are going to understand now that this is another level and we have gameplans and principles that we have to live by and there is a reason for that. For a group that is just learning, I think they are doing fantastic."
The Thunderbirds will open the regular season next Saturday in Las Vegas against CSUN.
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